Uke Yak Fans, Chuck "Frets" Fayne has been the resident expert for "Uke Yak" since 1998. Since that time he has answered almost 6,000 questions related to vintage ukuleles. Over many years, Chuck assembled his own world-class collection of vintage Hawaiian and Mainland ukes, including some amazing one-of-a-kind pieces. It was Chuck’s collection that made up the majority of the ukes in my book, "The Ukulele-A Visual History." Although Chuck has retired from the Uke Yak, his extensive knowledge and unique sense of humor live on in this searchable archive. Enjoy! Search the Uke Yak. Jumpin’ Jim 2015
Flea Market Music Uke Yak (89 of 296) (Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919 questions.)

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Question asked by: Jeffrey T. Smith Subject: Chicago ukulele information ,History , makers, players,etc. Question: Dear Chuck, Jim Beloff told me too ask you if you had any information on ukulele history of Chicago. I am of aware of quite a few of the makers,publishers, etc. Maybe you know where I can go to find out. I plan on writing an article about this for the Chicago magazine. Mahalo, Jeff. P.S. Can I send you a "got uke?" t-shirt I make? Please send me your size and mailing address. THANKS! Jefe' Answer: Jeffry, I am compiling a list of the chicago makers. The list is endless and the names have all but vanished from the records. Regal, as you now was the leading manufacturer and made most of the product from Chicago in the early years. They sold to many distributors and there is where the problem arises. It is difficult to tell the maker from the distributor. If you want to do a Chicago piece, more interesting than the makers is all the people who were claiming to have made ukes. I will do the best I can and get the list to you. Will talk soon.....chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Sharon Subject: uke by Ray Smeck Question: Sorry, I said the uke had 6 strings. It only has 4. Red and black sticker on back of handle says, genuine mahogany. Stamped Signiture of Ray Smeck over music and The Harmony Co. Chicago Answer: Sharon, picture please. Your description could fit more than one roy smeck uke. A pic will tell everything. thanks...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Sharon Subject: want to know Question: I have a Roy Smeck uke. It is genuine mohogany (sticker of gold) and red on back. The name of Roy Smeck Uke,The Harmony Company of Chicago,Illinois on the face. All are printed on the front with music bars across his name. It is 4 strings. I don't see information on the inside. Answer: Sharon, Picture please. I can't tell from your description. It fits too many roy smecks ....A pic will tell all...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: JOE HUSTON Subject: HONU UKULELE Question: I RECENTLY SAW A BEAUTIFUL UKE WITH A LABEL INSIDE THAT READ: "HONU UKULELE - DESIGNED IN KALIHI, HAWAII - HAND MADE IN CALIFORNIA". CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE BUILDER AND/OR HOW TO REACH HIM/THEM? THANKS, JOE Answer: I can't find the maker. I am posting this in case someone out there knows who it is. Thanks for writing in. I will continue to search for it. chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Mark Subject: old uke Question: Hi Chuck, Here's a pic of the whole uke. Like I said it came from Montgomery Wards 1941 postmark. the headstock is hard to read it may say Consort? Looks like a musical staff with a Large C and something else I cant make out. Thanks, Mark Photos:      Answer: Pic too dark to tell. Its a classic regal shape. Please send a lighter pic so I can help more...thanks...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Andy Subject: Choosing a Uke Question: Chuck,wanting to buy a uke but so many. Can one buy a good uke with good sound and craftmanship for a price around $300- $400? Tenor. Answer: Andy... Try Bushman Jenny. JOhn Bernunzio has them on his web site.. Bernunzio vintage instruments. Don't know if they make a tenor, but good reports. reasonaable. chuck - Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Question asked by: David Subject: Unknown Uke (from 1-12) Question: Chuck, This is a follow-up to the email I sent on Friday. Here is a picture of the entire uke per your request. I am going to send two more since I can only send one at a time in this program. David Photos:      Answer: David...I got all the pic you sent and will answer with all my thoughts. I first thought it was possibly by Manuel Nunes because of the cloud arrange below the bridge. However it is mother of pearl and I don't know he used that. It seems to modern for Nunes. The Tabu Stamp on the back of the headstock is also too late for him. I think it is one of two things. Either the uke was made by Paul and Harold Summers or it is a plain hawainn uke of the l940'50' and somebody has tricked it out with mother of pearl. I doesn't have the shape of a really early uke. It is very attractive and a real fooler. There ukes I call tourist ukes that were made to attract the tourist. This might well be one of them. Withoug any marks of identification except the tabu stamp, It could have been made by many artists who were using that stamp. I'll look a little longer and send the pics to a friend of mine who may know more. Thanks for sending it in, Its a beauty. As for value, I would just be taking a guess. 600 approx....thanks..chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Isabel Subject: Favilla Question: What is the significance of having a Herk Favilla label in the sound box of a baritone uke vs the woodburned Favilla logo? Thanks and be well. Isabel Answer: Have no idea. They both identify the instrument and I don't think either is any more desirable than the other. Good baritone. Have fun with it...chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: DARYL SHICK Subject: ukulele brands Question: Hi Chuck the regal i spoke aboutwas the one steve minon asked you about. You answered on wed nov 22 2006 about it. I purchased a fluke special edition snowfluke concert since than. Still would like info on brands that are good that don't cost the earth . regards Daryl Answer: Bushman Jenny.....good value....go to Bernunzio vintage instruments and you can see them for sale at a really great company. Tell John Bernunzio I told you to contact him. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Ken Stumpf Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: Would like your assessment on the attached. It is a Kamaka Pineapple, Blue label, and was owned and played by my great grandmother. The fingerboard is flush with the top; it has the Kamaka blue crest on the top of the neck, without the state motto, since this was made in the late 20's or early 30's. As you can see there is a cigarette burn on the face, but no other damage to the uke. Wondering about it's value. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Ken, I am still stumpped by the two different but similar descriptions of wht appears to be the same uke. burn mark and all. It is not mother of pearl trimmed at least the picture you sent. Could you please write me and tell me if the two questions are about two different ukes. The picture I have is of a uke that is wood trimmed not MOP...Please clear this up and I will answer the questions...chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Cliff Bonnar Subject: Harmony Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I just sent you an e-mail asking for some info on my Harmony. I just wanted to send you more pictures showing my Harmony Uke. Thank You very much... Photos:      Answer: The uke was made during the WW11 era as evidenced by the trim. I have not seen another exactly the same. Its a great looking uke and I'm sure there are a lot of Harmony collectors that would want it. I will be glad to help you. I am going to some research on Harmony and see if I can find it listed somewhere. Best.,..chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Michael J. Locey Subject: Martin 1M ID Question: Hi Chuck; re; your response as to how old the Martin 1M is, you said it could be 60's or 70's; the photo shows the stamp inside without the "made in USA"; doesnt that mean it is not a 60's and later edition? Answer: NO USA stamp...My mistake. Its earlier than 60's or 70's. If the decal is on the front....l930's...Stamp on back of peghead.....20's probably. Best Martin style Martin ever made. Too bad they didn't make this one again instead of the Style's 5's....Somehow I dont think they still get it. I would be surprised if they sold 200 ukes at approximately 4000 each. But I have been very wrong before. If I had everything else and nothing but money, I would be tempted for the collectable value, however for that kind of money I can buy two superior ukes that really won't cost as much. Best and thanms....chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: jim Subject: look what i found part 2 Question: And finally the machine head(if its called that). jim Photos:      Answer: pic 3 of the English Roy Smeck Banjo uke....really an odd ball.....hope someone has one and will fill in the gaps....chuck - Friday, January 19, 2007

Question asked by: jim Subject: look what i found part 2 Question: I'll send you some more, about three more. Forgot to say that the bajo skin is signed by roy smeck. jim Photos:      Answer: Jim, I will try to run all the pics. Its very interesting. Its made in England as I'm sure you know. I have never seen another and having the box is such a plus. It is really strange. thanks..chuck - Friday, January 19, 2007

Question asked by: jim Subject: look what i found part 2 Question: hope you like this one dude, i'll send you another one in a min. jim Photos:      Answer: Pic 2 of the roy smeck. If anyone out there know about this, please let me know...chuck - Friday, January 19, 2007

Question asked by: Mike Blake Subject: 1950 Martin Question: I inherited a 1940's or 50's Martin o style ukulele. It is in excellent condition. Do you know anyone who collects these ukulele's? I hate to see it not get touched when someone may really appreciate it. Thank you, Mike Blake Answer: If you want to sell it put it up on market place on this site. The only people are people who appreciate it. Its a ukulele only site. good luck.....chuck - Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Question asked by: K Kowalski Subject: Uke ? Question: Greetings Chuck; I have this Kamaka Pineapple Uke and am wondering the ball park value of it.It is missing a tuning peg and 2 strings. It also has some cracking in the face of the body but it really doesn't seem to sound bad in any way. It plays nice actually and is labeled 15408 on the bottom of the Kamaka label on the inside. I could only upload 1 pic(sorry). Thanks in advance Photos:      Answer: The cracking of the face has dimished the value greatly. It would be worth about 100 dollars as a player for someone. It does not have much collectible value, it is quite common and even in great shape it wouldn't be very sought after. Sorry, I wish I had better news. - Monday, January 15, 2007

Question asked by: jim Subject: look what i found!!!! Question: hello dude! i found this little baby in a charity shop, i just wondered if you knew anything about it. the box says roy smeck uke banjo, john greay product, junior model price 25 shillings and no.208. thanks jim. Photos:      Answer: Jim...I hate to do this to you, but I would like a picture of the entire front and back. I have never heard of one of these before and would love to see what it looks like before I comment......chuck - Sunday, January 14, 2007

Question asked by: chris moore Subject: kamaka ukulele Question: Chuck, I have come into possession of a Kamaka Pineapple Ukulele and am curious of the date of manufacture. It is very plain, no inlays in the fingerboards, no emblems on the outside, inside the resonating chamber is an old kamaka label that appears to have once been white and has antiqued to a yellow goldish patina with black printing. There is a handwritten number, I believe it reads "1922 or 1924" I don't belive that is the serial number that Kamakas website says is "Stamped" on the inside. The body is in relatively good condition without cracks and the tuning pegs are not present. Can you shed any light on this subject. Thank you in advance. Answer: CHRIS...PLEASE SEND A PIC OF THE FULL FRONT AND THE FULL BACK...I CAN HELP...BUT KAMAKA MADE MANY STYLES AND ALL ARE WORTH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS AND MUCH DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION. SO...THE MORE YOU CAN GIVE ME THE MORE I CAN GIVE YOU...THANKS...CHUJCK - Sunday, January 14, 2007

Question asked by: Annette Woodworth Subject: C.F. Martin Uke Question: Chuck, have some more info and questions on this uke. I have dated it from 1915 to 1920. It is a soprano,w/wood violin pegs& t- frets.Now the new question is maybe it's not mahogany but rather Koa wood. How do I identify Koa wood? I have the 1917 tuner, the original hard case(uke case), a metal bar(slide bar?), and 3 different types of strings still in the original packages also. Are the other items of value,should they go with the uke, or seperate? Answer: PLEASE SEND A PICTURE....I CAN'T SEE THRU THE COMPUTER.......CHUCK - Friday, January 12, 2007

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